Oh New Orleans....

this city never ceases to amaze me!
We went down this past weekend and met my parents for a little mini vaca (just the weekend) and to see the Eagles play the Saints.
Saturday was perfect. Wonderful weather, laid back day, lots of walking, a ton of laughing. The French Quarter (which wasn't really hurt by Katrina) was its usual colorful self. There's the ever present smell of cajun spices, sweet pralines and beignets, and then the occasional whiff of vomit to remind you that the national liquor laws do not apply within the city limits. ;-) It wasn't crowded, but nothing's out of the ordinary there. Nothing. It was mid day and we saw one girl in the hootchiest devil's costume I've ever seen and then an older couple, her with her pearls and him with his top hat, on the same street, within minutes of each other. Talk about variety! ;-)

For dinner we met my dear Caroline (a new resident to the city herself) and listened to a little street corner band (I'm pretty sure they were a local highschool horn section looking to make some extra moola on the weekend) and ate at the Red Fish Grill. Oh the food was scrumptious, but the company made the meal. ;-)

Sunday we went to church at a congregation just now getting its feet back on the ground (very inspiring) and then headed to the Superdome decked out in our Eagles gear. I thought we might be the only ones in green, but those Eagles' fans are no joke and even in the dome you could scan the crowd and find big splotches of green amongst the black and gold. Everytime the Saints cheered "Who dat, said they gonna bet those Saints, who dat, who dat?" (I told KJ that the most boot-leg sayings are accepted in cheer format) there was a thunderous answer of "The Eagles, The Eagles!"... too bad we didn't. ;-) It was all in fun for the most part and after we graciously tucked our feathered tails between our legs, most of the Saint fans thanked us for such a good game and for supporting the city. You hate to lose, but it's worse when you lose to sore winners and I must say that if we had to lose to someone, I didn't mind serving them a victory in their home city. KJ didn't necessarily feel the same... he's a die-hard bird man... ;-)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Happy Tuesday!